Broken ferrule

[JeffD]

Hey guys, I built a rod for a friend in 1981. It's made from a 2 piece Fenwick graphite blank. Just recently the ferrule broke and needs to be replaced. Can it be removed or does it have to be cut off. How would you approach this. I don't know how the original ferrule is attached. Can it be heated and removed or will that damage the rod. Remove or cut off? Does anyone have any experience with this?

[MickD]

Metal ferrule?   Photo?  More detail, please.

[JeffD]

Sorry, I should've given more info. I post a picture if I could figure out how. Everytime I try to post one, it says it's to big and I don't know how to reduce them.

The ferrule seems to be made out of the blank material. It's 3" long. It looks like a piece of blank was slid on from the top over and I'm guessing, glued on. The bottom of the blank fits inside the other end. I hope that makes sense. Was that how blanks were joined together back then?

[MickD]

You need a graphics program like Phtoshop or Paint Shop Pro and resize the file to a much smaller size and it will fit.  If you reduce it enough.  Some digital photos are HUGE.

 

I've never seen a ferrule like that, but it sounds like it was a precursor to the integral ferrules we have today.  I doubt it it can be removed, and it sounds to me like the only option is to make it into  a one piece rod.  Take a look at this article and see if you think there is a way to utilize the principals in it to either make it into a one piece rod, or possibly fabricate a replacement ferrule (long shot, I think).

 

https://www.rodbuilding.org/library/repair-oquinn.html

 

I have used this process to repair a number of rods successsfully, and they fish well.  It will depend on how much you have to cut out whether the power and action will change too much.

You might search for a vintage fly rod forum to get some advice, too.

[JeffD]

Thanks MickD. I have seen the process described in the article. I think I might have to go that route. I wasn't sure what my options were, but I thought I'd ask. Thanks again.

[S Hovanec]

Sounds like it might be a spigot ferrule.

[Whatever]

Have you considered installing a metal ferrule? They are still available, and worked well for a lot of years.

[spoonplugger1]

The Fenwick Feralite ferrule was developed in 1962 and looks nothing like what you discribe. It looks just like the ferrules today.

[MickD]

It really doesn't sound like a spigot, which is an internal shaft inside the tube of the blank.  This sounds more like a reinforced tip over butt ferrule.  But whatever it is, the issue is what to do to get the rod fishable again.

[JeffD]

After rethinking it, I don't think this is a Fenwick blank. I made a few rods back then and I believe I'm wrong in saying it was a Fenwick. I believe the Fenwick blanks back then were brown. This one is black.

[MickD]

Agree, doesn't look Fenwick.  I'm still not sure I understand what you're dealing with.

[JeffD]

The ferrule (or piece of blank used as a ferrule) is cracked. I'm trying to remove it if possible. He'd like to keep it a 2 piece rod, but if my only option is to somehow permanently join it together, I'll do that.

[VolFan]

Leave it and wrap it. I think getting it off and trying to size a replacement is going to be a challenge. Put it together, with some wax, and then put a good wrap on it. It won’t last forever, but it will for a while.

[MickD]

I think I see what you have, (a crack has compromised the hoop strength of the "external" ferrule, right?)  and think a repair is worth trying.  Get a small piece of fiberglass cloth and resin to apply to it.  Get it sized so it will go around the ferrule with a little overlap.  It can be applied to the ferrule to reinforce it. 

 

As long as the crack is tight enough to prevent the resin from getting inside the ferrule.  If you are worried about this, then "fix" the crack before applying the fiberglass cloth.  I think this can be done with something like Sally Hensen hard nail coating.  I don't think it will penetrate the crack.

 

If the fit is not perfect when you get done, there is a way to tune it.  

[JeffD]

Great idea, I will try that.

Thanks!

[MickD]

I fixed a very nice, expensive, blank that I had crushed while trying to bend a guide, by doing this.  My son has fished the rod for many years and the rod has not failed.

 

[Chris Catignani]

On 7/5/2021 at 6:10 PM, JeffD said:

... I don't know how to reduce them...

You can actually do this from MS Paint in Windows.

Start Paint..click Paste ...then Paste from...

Select your image.

Press Resize...you will have to play around with the percentages...20% may be a good starting point.

Then save is as a differnet name.

[Chris Catignani]

One thing you could do is this just epoxy a larger diameter (snug fitting) stint over the existing ferrule.

Say covering up the wrap there on the left....then you can fill the gap with epoxy.

...probably not making much sense!!

Some what the same process MikeD posted about with the link by Ralf O'Quinn...I have used this technique about a dozen times.

 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

To keep it two pieces I’d use a sacrificial glass blank and sleeve over the ferrule just like a broken blank 

[JeffD]

I think he's decided to just glue it together and make it a one piece.

Thanks for all the ideas!